One reason why I am taking off a semester here in the U.S. and studying in a foreign country as opposed to doing a “study abroad program is because of things like this:

The following two quotes are from students participating in study abroad programs.

“I arrived this afternoon at 1 and met the study abroad people at the airport who helped us get taxis to our apartments. my host mother lives by herself with a maid that she has had for 30 years. she moved here from germany shortly after the war she said and the apartment is really nice. she has a really nice balcony complete with an 18 year old pet turtle.

thats about all i have for now, today i just have to sit around and wait and sleep, she was given instructions not to let me go out and i cant get a wireless connection on my computer so i guess ill just have to leave it at that. we start orientation in the morning at 11 and that will last pretty much the next week and half so hopefully by next time ill have plenty of pictures.”

No thank you. I would prefer not to live with a lonely middle aged women with a turtle. Even worse, the study abroad program is grounding its participants like 10 year olds. Where do they think their students are? Afghanistan?

Or how about this anecdote from another American studying in Buenos Aires.

“So we are 6 American girls, ready to go out, all of a sudden we find ourselves mostly out of sight from the bustling restaurant area. The street was dark and fairly empty. There were a few sketchy people around, but we held on tight to our purses and to each other because we knew we were almost close to the party. I was walking a few paces ahead of the group with another girl and I heard Amanda scream. Then I heard a man scream and saw him bolt away from us, laughing and screaming. At first I thought he molested her or something, but then I realized, as she did too, that he had stolen her Marc Jacobs clutch…which held her camera, credit cards, cell phone, drivers lisence, ATM/credit card, insurance card, and just 100 pesos.”

Besides, I will be saving over $8,000 in just tuition alone.

Ahhh, the young backpacker. During my time in South America I have had the pleasure to meet a few young backpackers aged from 18-20 and they would not let me or anyone else they met forget that. I also am one.

A typical conversation with the young backpacker often goes like this:

Normal Backpacker “Hey, my name is John, nice to meet you. ”

Young Backpacker “Nice to meet you, i’m Douschebag. So where have you been traveling”

Normal Backpacker “I just came from Bogota, it was a real nice city, and you?”

Young Backpacker “Oh man, I just got off a three hour bus coming from this really shady town. I bet you’ve never heard of it. I felt like I was going to die as we were driving past the locals. They smiled at me but I swear they were going to rob us.

Normal Backpacker “Hmm…it just sounds like some nice people who had good intentions”

Young Backpacker “Well, its possible, but see, i’m only 18 years old so I need to be in my guard at all times since i’m doing this all by myself”

Normal Backpacker “Yeah….well anyways, i’m goin to play some music on my mp3 player before we head out. Do you like U2?

Young Backpacker “I love U2. You know I was not even born when they came out. You must have been like in your 20′s! My friends from high school would think its so cool i’m listening to music with people old enough to be my dad! This whole trip is so hardcore”

Ahhh, the young backpacker. During my time in South America I have had the pleasure to meet a few young backpackers aged from 18-20 and they would not let me or anyone else they met forget that. I also am one.

A typical conversation with the young backpacker often goes like this:

Normal Backpacker “Hey, my name is John, nice to meet you. “

Young Backpacker “Nice to meet you, i’m Douschebag. So where have you been traveling”

Normal Backpacker “I just came from Bogota, it was a real nice city, and you?”

Young Backpacker “Oh man, I just got off a three hour bus coming from this really shady town. I bet you’ve never heard of it. I felt like I was going to die as we were driving past the locals. They smiled at me but I swear they were going to rob us.

Normal Backpacker “Hmm…it just sounds like some nice people who had good intentions”

Young Backpacker “Well, its possible, but see, i’m only 18 years old so I need to be in my guard at all times since i’m doing this all by myself”

Normal Backpacker “Yeah….well anyways, i’m goin to play some music on my mp3 player before we head out. Do you like U2?

Young Backpacker “I love U2. You know I was not even born when they came out. You must have been like in your 20′s! My friends from high school would think its so cool i’m listening to music with people old enough to be my dad! This whole trip is so hardcore”